University of Edinburgh Gifford Lecture series - Why we believe About the series Humans can see the world around them, imagine how it might be different, and translate those imaginings into reality…or at least try to. Humans believe. Meaning, imagination, and hope are as central to the human story as are bones, genes, and ecologies. Neither selfish aggression nor peaceful altruism dominates human behavior as a whole. We are a species distinguished by our extraordinary capacity for creative cooperation, our ability to imagine possibilities and to make them material, and our powerful aptitudes for belief, hope, and cruelty. In the 21st century significant shifts in our understanding of evolutionary biology and theory, radical expansions in the archeological and fossil records, and increasing collaboration across multiple fields of inquiry alter our capacities to investigate the human niche, how humans shape and are shaped by the world. Via exploring our evolution, the emergence of our capacity to create, innovate, and collaborate we develop better understandings of human natures and the answers as to why we believe. And, hopefully, to better contemplate the possibilities of human futures. Lecture 1 - Who are we? Belief, evolution, and our place in the world Monday 26 February 2018 Lecture 2 - What makes us human? The construction of the human niche and the capacity for belief Tuesday 27 February 2018 Lecture 3 - How did we change the world? Being with, and believing in, others instigated the Anthropocene Thursday 1 March 2018 Lecture 4 - How do we believe? Developing human culture Monday 5 March 2018 Lecture 5 - Why do we believe? A human imagination and the emergence of belief systems Tuesday 6 March Lecture 6 - Does belief matter? Belief, hope, and responsibility Thursday 8 March 2018 These events will be photographed and/or recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University or University approved third parties. Each lecture will be scheduled for 17:30 to 18:30 (doors open 17:15). The lectures may be followed by questions. Latest finishing time is 19:00. For any further information contact the administrator: Joachim.Belleza@ed.ac.uk About the speaker Agustin Fuentes is the Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. His research delves into the how and why of being human. Ranging from chasing monkeys in jungles and cities, to exploring the lives of our evolutionary ancestors, to examining what people actually do across the globe, Professor Fuentes is interested in both the big questions and the small details of what makes humans and our closest relatives tick. Augustin Fuentes webapge Feb 26 2018 00.00 - Mar 08 2018 00.00 University of Edinburgh Gifford Lecture series - Why we believe The 2018 Gifford Lectures will be given by Augustin Fuentes from the University of Notre Dame on 26, 27 February and 1, 5, 6 and 8 March 2018 The Playfair Library Hall, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH9 9YL Please register on Eventbrite
University of Edinburgh Gifford Lecture series - Why we believe About the series Humans can see the world around them, imagine how it might be different, and translate those imaginings into reality…or at least try to. Humans believe. Meaning, imagination, and hope are as central to the human story as are bones, genes, and ecologies. Neither selfish aggression nor peaceful altruism dominates human behavior as a whole. We are a species distinguished by our extraordinary capacity for creative cooperation, our ability to imagine possibilities and to make them material, and our powerful aptitudes for belief, hope, and cruelty. In the 21st century significant shifts in our understanding of evolutionary biology and theory, radical expansions in the archeological and fossil records, and increasing collaboration across multiple fields of inquiry alter our capacities to investigate the human niche, how humans shape and are shaped by the world. Via exploring our evolution, the emergence of our capacity to create, innovate, and collaborate we develop better understandings of human natures and the answers as to why we believe. And, hopefully, to better contemplate the possibilities of human futures. Lecture 1 - Who are we? Belief, evolution, and our place in the world Monday 26 February 2018 Lecture 2 - What makes us human? The construction of the human niche and the capacity for belief Tuesday 27 February 2018 Lecture 3 - How did we change the world? Being with, and believing in, others instigated the Anthropocene Thursday 1 March 2018 Lecture 4 - How do we believe? Developing human culture Monday 5 March 2018 Lecture 5 - Why do we believe? A human imagination and the emergence of belief systems Tuesday 6 March Lecture 6 - Does belief matter? Belief, hope, and responsibility Thursday 8 March 2018 These events will be photographed and/or recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University or University approved third parties. Each lecture will be scheduled for 17:30 to 18:30 (doors open 17:15). The lectures may be followed by questions. Latest finishing time is 19:00. For any further information contact the administrator: Joachim.Belleza@ed.ac.uk About the speaker Agustin Fuentes is the Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. His research delves into the how and why of being human. Ranging from chasing monkeys in jungles and cities, to exploring the lives of our evolutionary ancestors, to examining what people actually do across the globe, Professor Fuentes is interested in both the big questions and the small details of what makes humans and our closest relatives tick. Augustin Fuentes webapge Feb 26 2018 00.00 - Mar 08 2018 00.00 University of Edinburgh Gifford Lecture series - Why we believe The 2018 Gifford Lectures will be given by Augustin Fuentes from the University of Notre Dame on 26, 27 February and 1, 5, 6 and 8 March 2018 The Playfair Library Hall, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH9 9YL Please register on Eventbrite
Feb 26 2018 00.00 - Mar 08 2018 00.00 University of Edinburgh Gifford Lecture series - Why we believe The 2018 Gifford Lectures will be given by Augustin Fuentes from the University of Notre Dame on 26, 27 February and 1, 5, 6 and 8 March 2018
